The response to Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump from elected officials, both locally and nationally, was swift.
Sunday night in a rare address to the nation, Biden spoke about “the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics.”
“When we disagree, we are not enemies, we are neighbors, we are friends, citizens and Americans,” he said. “(Saturday’s shooting) calls on all of us to take a step back and take stock in how we move forward.”
“A former President was shot, and an American citizen was killed simply exercising his right to support the candidate of his choosing. We must not go down that road we traveled before in this country. Violence has never been the answer.”
He called for the hot rhetoric to cool in this country and for everyone to condemn political violence.
“Yes, we have deeply felt strong disagreements. The stakes in this election are enormously high,” he said. “We stand for an American of decency and grace. This places a burden on all Americans, no matter how strong our convictions. But we must never descend into violence. In America, we resolve our differences at the ballot box, not with bullets. It’s in the hands of the voters, not a would-be assassin. Hate must have no safe harbor.”
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt called for thoughts and prayers for Trump following the attempt and praised the response by the Secret Service.
“My prayers are with President Trump and those in attendance at the rally - and we should all feel so thankful for the swift response by the Secret Service and law enforcement,” Stitt said. “While details are still coming in, we can’t tolerate attempts to thwart democracy with political violence. Period.”
Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Senator Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, released the following statement: “My prayers are with President Trump and hope for a speedy recovery after being shot at this afternoon during his rally. This is an act of senseless violence that should never be tolerated. The Secret Service, law enforcement and first responders are all owed a special debt of gratitude for their quick response, as we continue to get more details on this heartbreaking incident.”
State Representative Collin Duel, R-District 31, issued a statement in the wake of the assassination attempt: ““Now, more than ever, democracy is under attack,” Duel said. “Despite our differences, we must come together to hold those accountable for this reprehensible act of violence. My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump, wishing him a full recovery, and with the family of Corey Comperatore, an innocent American who tragically lost his life. I commend those in law enforcement and the first responders on the ground who acted swiftly and courageously in responding to this attempted assassination.”
In a special session in the Oklahoma Senate on July 15, Oklahoma Senators presented and passed a resolution that condemned acts of political violence. The resolution was targeted towards Trump and the victims of his rally and honored them.
“ The Senate stands strong against political violence of any kind,” Treat said after the resolution was passed. “As we continue to pray for President Trump’s recovery and the victims of this senseless act of violence, the Oklahoma Senate thought it was appropriate to take this time to reflect, come together and appropriately condemn this atrocious act.”
State Senator Chuck Hall, R-Perry, also released a statement, following the passing of the Senate resolution: “The assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life over the weekend only served to undermine our democracy and make people fearful of becoming involved in the electoral process,” Hall said. “On Monday, I was proud to support a Senate resolution unequivocally condemning political violence and honoring the innocent victims of this horrible tragedy.
I continue to pray for President Trump and the families who are mourning the loss of loved ones. I remain grateful for the law enforcement officers and first responders who quickly sprung into action at the scene.”
Steven Gentling, Guthrie Mayor, released the following statement regarding the shooting: “I join with the City Council and the citizens of Guthrie in prayer for Mr. Comperatore, who lost his life, former President Trump and the two other men who were wounded in Saturday’s assassination attempt,” Gentling said. “I believe this tragic event reflects a downward spiral of civility in our beloved country and a generalized loss of respect for human life.
It becomes incumbent on all of us, on each of us, to become instruments to change this direction. It becomes incumbent on all of us, on each of us, to show more respect to each other, to better listen to each other and to better understand each other. Differences of opinion or political perspectives are no reason to threaten or take another person’s life. I pray that we will learn from this tragedy and become better; better as individuals, better as a country. God Bless America!”